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2017 NYS USBC HONOREES: Brad Buckert and Bill Fortino, seated from left, received Service Awards while Gary Kinyon, Joan Ashby, Roseann DiFlorio and Peter Sheridan were inducted into the New York State USBC Hall of Fame on Saturday night (June 3) at the Radisson Hotel Corning.

NYS USBC Hall of FameWelcomes 4 New MembersService Awards Given to Rochester Duo

JUNE 5, 2017 – The New York State USBC's newest Hall of Famers shared their "love and passion" for the sport of bowling during induction ceremonies Saturday night at the state association's Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner at the Radisson Hotel Corning.

Gary Kinyon of Lockport and Roseann DiFlorio of Syracuse were inducted into the Superior Performance category while Peter Sheridan of Cortland and Joan Ashby of Auburn were enshrined for Meritorious Service.

Service awards were presented to Brad Buckert of Rochester (Service to Youth) and Bill Fortino of Rochester (Proprietor/Manager Recognition).

One hundred seven people attended the dinner, which was coordinated by the NYS USBC Awards Committee, chaired by Dennis O'Donnell. Barry Vee, NYS USBC director and Rochester radio personality, was the master of ceremonies.

"Bowling is my passion and over the years I've worked on my game more and more," said Kinyon, whose numerous tournament victories, honor scores and other achievements include the NYS Open Championships scratch all-events title in 1989 and Open Senior Championships Class E# doubles title in 2013.

Kinyon credited his father, Roy, as being his biggest supporter, and shared a story about an incident that set the course of his bowling career. Roy was at the dinner along with several other family members.

"When I was 12 years old, I used to go bowling with my brother, Bruce. One day someone offered me a cigarette and I said, OK," Kinyon said. "My sister, Kathy, said, 'I'm going to tell Dad."

Later that day, after supper, Kinyon said his father gave him a choice – "I'll let you bowl or I'll let you smoke cigarettes. I haven't had a cigarette since."

Kinyon said he was mentored by the great Allie Brandt at Allie Brandt Lanes in Lockport, who took him to his first American Bowling Congress national tournament. He said next year's USBC Open Championships in Syracuse will be his 40th.

DiFlorio, a member of two first-place teams at the NYS Women's Championships (1992, 2010) and four-time Syracuse USBC Queens champion, said she has been involved in bowling since the age of 5, when she remembers getting her first bowling ball.

She also recalled a lesson she received as a youth bowler from her mother, Esther, now 92, who also was on hand Saturday night – along with several other family members and a vocal group of friends.

"I would notice that boys would kick the rack when they missed, so one time I did that," she said. "My mother grabbed me and said if you ever do that again, you will never touch another bowling ball. She taught me to be a good loser and to respect the game."

Later on, DiFlorio said she became a "mascot" for her mother's team before making her own mark in Syracuse classic league bowling.

She said her induction into the NYS Hall of Fame means that she has "accomplished every goal I have ever had in bowling."

Sheridan said he was introduced to the sport at the age of 12 and, "while I can't explain it, I fell in love with this game."

He became the association secretary in Cortland in 1969, and went on to have a tremendous impact in that area as a proprietor (taking over Recreation Lanes in 1989), tournament promotor, youth program director and fundraiser.

Sheridan spoke of the many friends he made and "great people" he met through bowling, and thanked the 16 family members and friends who were on hand for the ceremony.

Ashby said she "cherishes the history of bowling" and talked about the changes that have taken place since she became involved with the local association in the 1970's.

"I remember after an honor score we would have to go to the center that night, and not only take a tape reading of the lanes, but weigh every pin and inspect the lanes thoroughly," said Ashby, the current president of the Auburn USBC WBA.

She noted that "volunteerism" is essential to the sport's future, and has enjoyed serving on the local, state and national level.

"I never dreamed that I would be one of these people receiving this award," said Ashby, who was supported by her husband, John, and sons and their wives. "I am truly humbled."

Buckert, coach of the Rochester Institute of Technology bowling team and Youth Bowling Tour director for the past 14 years, said he "loves" helping youth bowlers reach their potential.

He said he was proud of the fact that the YBT has reached the $500,000 mark in scholarships awarded to youth, and that about 75 Rochester-area youths have qualified for Junior Gold competition through the YBT program.

Buckert has owned his own pro shop business for 34 years and has been involved in coaching for 30 years.

Fortino, general manager of Bowl-A-Roll Lanes and a longtime bowling center manager, credited his owners with giving him "the latitude to enhance the bowler's experience."

"It's all about treating others the way you would want to be treated," said Fortino, who was recognized for his efforts as a state tournament host and supporter of USBC certification.